by Kay Correll
“She’s not dating him. She just asked him to dinner.”
“Well, she seemed—interested—in him.”
“No, she didn’t.” He scowled.
“She’s showing him around town tomorrow.”
“How could she turn him down when he asked? He’d just fixed her step for her. She probably felt obligated, not interested.” He let out a long breath of air. “And I told her I’d fix the stupid step.”
“Ben, you’ve been busy. And that step has been loose for months.”
Pausing, he scowled again, took his hand away, and raked it through his hair.
She stopped and faced him. “You don’t like change very much, do you?”
“Things aren’t going to change. He’s just some guy here on vacation. He’ll be gone soon enough. And hopefully, tomorrow will be the last time he’s bothering Mom.”
“I’m pretty sure he wasn’t bothering her…”
David sat on the balcony back at his room at Charming Inn. He’d had a perfectly wonderful day. Working with his hands. Spending time with Ruby and her family. Not that Ben had seemed very pleased with him. Her son had made that fairly obvious.
But he knew Ben was just being protective of his mom. That was a good quality in a son. Not that his son had gotten that trait—the worrying about a family member gene—but he guessed that was his own fault. He’d been so busy when Corey was growing up. Always working. Rarely having time to go to his son’s sports games or just hang out with him. He’d been a terrible father. Always using work as an excuse as to why he wasn’t present often in his son’s life. Like very often at all.
And look what he’d gotten for that.
Now his son was just like him. Always working. Putting his job first. No wife, not even a girlfriend—at least he didn’t think Corey had a girlfriend. But they didn’t stay in close contact, so maybe he did.
He leaned back in his chair, full of regrets, but knowing that wouldn’t help a thing. He let out a long sigh, watching the waves under the silvery light of the moon. So peaceful. Why had it taken him years to realize what a mistake all those hours of work, work, work had been?
Life was short. A person should spend it doing things they love and with people they love. But, by the time he’d realized it… it had been too late. Everything in his life had fallen apart.
Chapter 5
The next morning Ruby hurried around her kitchen, tidying up before it was time to meet David at Julie’s Sweet Shoppe. Her mouth watered at the thought of Julie’s blueberry muffins. She was going to have one for breakfast. Unless there was something else that tempted her—which was always a definite possibility.
She looked down at Mischief. “If I bring you with me, will you behave?”
Mischief shot her a look of pure indignation. She was sure he understood her every word.
When he wanted to…
“Okay, you can come, but you have to behave.”
He wagged his tail once in reply and went over to grab his leash and drag it back to her. She laughed. “Okay, but I mean it about being a good dog.”
With one last glance around the kitchen, she clipped the leash on Mischief and headed to The Sweet Shoppe. Now that she’d gotten used to leaving the house more often for knitting club or joining Dorothy and Mary for a walk on the beach, she was looking forward to another excuse for an outing. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d actually gone to The Sweet Shoppe for more than a quick run inside to pick something up, not staying to savor the coffee, talk to people, and enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the shop.
And she had to admit, she was looking forward to seeing David again. He was a nice man. Helpful. And he’d put up with Ben’s nonsense with good humor last night.
She’d have to have a talk with Ben. He meant well.
Mostly. Probably.
And she knew part of it was her own fault. She’d come to rely on Ben for so much after Barry died. But she needed to start relying on herself, get back to doing things and enjoying life. Not hiding out at home.
She got to The Sweet Shoppe early and Julie welcomed her. “Hi, Ruby. And this must be Mischief. Mary was in and told me all about him.” She bent down to pet the dog.
“He’s a handful, but I’m nuts about him. It’s nice to just have someone to talk to in that empty house of mine.”
“I’m sure it is.” Julie stood back up and smiled at her. “Table for one?”
“No, actually I’m meeting someone. David. He’s a visitor to the island and I’m going to show him around town.” Really, why was she explaining all this? She had every right to have breakfast with a man. Even if it did feel strange. Very strange.
“Well then, here’s a table by the window. You can enjoy the view and people watch while you wait for him.”
Ruby sat and Mischief settled at her feet. Julie brought her coffee. She sipped the delicious coffee and watched out the window. The town was coming alive with people hurrying to work, and tourists getting out and starting their day. She waved when she saw David walk past. He gave her a wide smile and a wave in return.
Her heart thumped in her chest and a small smile crept across her face. She could feel the smile and it felt… good.
He came into the shop and joined her, reaching down to pet Mischief before slipping into the chair across from her. “Good morning. Surprisingly, even after all that delicious meal you made last night, I’m starving this morning.”
“Well, you’ve come to the right place. I was sure I was going to order a blueberry muffin, but then I saw the special today is almond scones. Now I can’t decide.”
“Order both.” His mouth spread into a wide grin and he shrugged.
“I just might.”
Julie brought coffee for David, and Ruby decided that she would order both. Why not indulge?
“So, what all are we going to see today?” he asked as he set his coffee mug on the table and unrolled his napkin with the silverware in it.
She’d thought it over carefully this morning while cleaning her kitchen. She wanted to give him a good mix of the town, so he could get a feel for it. “I thought we’d walk along Oak Street. I’ll show you some of the shops. There’s a gazebo at the end of the street that’s lovely. And if you want, we could walk over to the marina.”
“That all sounds great to me.”
Honestly? Ruby could have told him they were going to go sit on a bench for hours and do nothing. He found that he just enjoyed spending time with her, talking with her.
They ate their meal, and Ruby was right, it was delicious. He finished off the last half of her almond scone she offered him and topped it off with one more cup of coffee, all the while chatting with her. She was so easy to talk to and it delighted him the way she popped from topic to topic. It was clear she loved her town.
“Have you heard our town legend about making a wish at Lighthouse Point?”
“Can’t say that I have.” He leaned back in his chair and stretched out his legs, in no hurry to leave.
“Years ago, when the island was first settled, Margaret Belle’s husband, a local fisherman, was lost at sea. Margaret went to Lighthouse Point and threw a shell into the ocean as she made a wish for her husband to come home safely. Six months to the day he showed up, rescued by another fishing boat. From then on, residents and visitors to the island have gone to Lighthouse Point, thrown their shells into the sea while making their own wishes, and their wishes—big and small—have come true.”
“Really?” He eyed her. “Might have to give it a try.”
“Our legend wouldn’t lie, would it?” She smiled at him, her eyes twinkling.
The eyes that captivated him with their clear sky-blue beauty. And her quick smile captivated him, too. And her laugh. Honestly, quite a bit about this lady charmed him.
Which caught him by surprise.
He’d had no interest in a woman in… well, in years. Once burned, twice shy and all that.
“So are you ready to go exploring?”
“I am.” He took one last sip of his coffee and stood.
Ruby scooted her chair back and rose. Mischief looked at the two of them and popped up, ready to go.
He stopped on their way out to thank Julie. “Breakfast was wonderful. Best muffins and almond scone I’ve ever had.”
Julie beamed as she brushed a tiny bit of flour from her flushed cheek. “Thank you. Come back soon.”
“I sure will.”
They headed outside and Ruby led their way down the sidewalk. They wandered along the street, popping into a few shops along the way, and ended up at the end of Oak Street.
“Wow, this live oak is impressive.” The massive tree spread its branches across the small park near the gazebo.
“It is pretty, isn’t it?”
They went to sit at the gazebo and Mischief dropped down beside them, resting his head on his paws.
Ruby settled close to his side, and he enjoyed just having someone close, someone to talk to. He hated to admit how lonely he’d been the last few years. But then, he’d barely had enough energy to put into his recovery, much less energy to put into anything else.
But now?
Now it seemed like every day he wanted to seize every single moment. He guessed that wasn’t a bad way to live.
“So, Kansas City. Have you lived there long?” Ruby leaned over to scratch Mischief, then turned back to look at him.
“I have. Over thirty years.”
“Do you like it there?”
How to answer that? He’d liked it before. Back when he was working. He’d loved his job. Loved his lovely home. Now he lived in a condo—which was a nice one, he’d admit that—but he missed having a house to putter in. “I guess I do. Some parts of it are really pretty. I live near the County Club Plaza area. Well, I do now.”
“Do you have family there?”
He got the sense that Ruby was more interested in getting to know him, rather grilling him with questions like Ben had done last night, trying to determine if he was good enough for Ruby. “I—not any longer.”
He guessed an ex-wife he never saw didn’t qualify as family. “I do have a son who lives in St. Louis.”
“Oh, that must be nice to have him not be too far away. They’re not that far apart, are they?”
“About a four-hour drive. We don’t see each other much though. He’s really busy with his work.”
Ruby nodded but her look clearly said that was no reason to not see your son. Ruby probably saw Ben multiple times a week. And if he’d read Ben right, the man would be over every day to check on his mother now.
At least until he headed back to Kansas City.
And he was in no hurry to do that…
Chapter 6
Ruby couldn’t remember when she’d had such a lovely day. The weather was pure perfection. Warm and sunny with puffy white clouds towering above them. She enjoyed David’s company. And Mischief was behaving. She smiled down at the dog and saw David’s hand resting on the bench between them. His hands were strong and firm, but pale. A few weeks here on the island would help drive away the pallor of his skin. He must not get outside much in Kansas City to be that pale.
It surprised her that his son was so close but he didn’t see him much. But then, family dynamics were tricky. That’s what she’d always heard, anyway. She’d been lucky with Ben and loved that he stayed here in town. Ben and his brother got along great even though Brian was up in Michigan now. All those B-names. Her husband’s family had always named their male children with names that started with B. Going back for generations.
She shook her head at her ping-ponging thoughts and turned to David. “Now that we’ve rested, do you want to walk over to the marina? I could show you around there. I love going there and looking at the boats and sitting at the end of the dock and looking out at the bay.” Well, she used to enjoy it. She hadn’t done it in forever. Now seemed like the perfect time. She’d just be showing him around. Somehow having David by her side to share in it made it a bit easier.
Probably…
“Sounds great.” David stood and reached out a hand for her.
She slipped her hand in his and he pulled her to her feet, holding on for a moment or two longer than necessary. Not that she minded.
“Come on, buddy. Your mom’s going to show me the marina.” Mischief jumped up, his eyes shining.
“I swear, the dog never really wears out.” She looked at David. “Do you have pets?”
“Me? Nah, not since I was a kid. I was always too busy working.”
“You’re not too busy now, are you? Mischief changed my life. I love having him in the house with me. Keeps the house from seeming so… empty.”
David rubbed his chin. “Hm, I hadn’t really given it much thought.”
“It’s a big responsibility, but I’m really glad I got him.”
“He’s a great dog.”
“Don’t say that too loudly, he’s already certain he rules the house.” She laughed. “Come on, the marina is this way.”
It only took about ten minutes to reach the marina. A few of the long-time workers waved to her as she cut through the main office. They headed outside to the series of docks stretching out into the bay.
Ben was standing nearby, talking to a customer. She waved to him. He frowned in reply, finished up with his customer, and walked up to greet them. He gave her a quick kiss on the check. “Mom.”
“Hi, Ben. I thought I’d show David the marina.
Ben arched an eyebrow. “You did?”
“Hi, Ben,” David said.
Ben barely nodded in reply.
She turned to David. “Would you like to go out for a boat ride? I do like to cruise around the bay. It’s a beautiful, calm day for it.”
“I’d love to.” David’s eyes lit up.
“Mom, you haven’t taken a boat out since—” Ben froze, his words hanging in the air. “Ah… in a long time.”
No, she hadn’t, but today was the day. It was time. She’d been avoiding everything that reminded her of… well, of life how it had been before. But this was now. “Ben, I’ve been boating for a lot of years. More years than you’ve been alive. I’m perfectly capable of taking David out for a ride.”
“I’d like that.” David nodded enthusiastically.
Ben scowled at him. “If you give me time to finish up here, I could take you out.”
“No, we’ll be fine. I see you still have Best Day Ever here.” She pointed to the center console boat they rented out. “We’ll take her.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” She nodded.
“Mom… I’m not sure this is such a great idea.”
“Nonsense, it’s a perfect idea.” She turned to David—who Ben still hadn’t said a word to. “Let’s go get some drinks, then we’ll go out for a short ride.”
They grabbed a doggie lifejacket from the shop at the marina, then walked down the long dock to the boat. Ben helped untie them, fussing about this and that like she was incapable of taking a simple boat ride. “Goodbye, Ben.” She turned away from him to back the boat out and rolled her eyes. That son of hers needed a little talking to, but right now she wanted out on the water.
It had been a long time. A very long time.
They idled out of the marina and out into the bay. The breeze blew across her face as she increased the speed and the wind whipped her hair around. She tucked it behind her ear—not that it stayed—and deftly steered them out into the middle of the bay. The sun poured down around them and David settled on the bench seat beside her. A bit crowded, but she didn’t mind.
She let out a long sigh. Why had she waited so long to get back on the water? She’d put so much on hold with Barry’s illness and death. But now? Now she remembered the pure joy of being out on the water, wind in her face, sun dancing on the waves. “This is just perfect.”
David sat beside her, looking at her, his eyes filled with… what? But a big smile was plastered on his face, so
he must be enjoying the ride as much as she was. “This is perfect.”
David sat next to Ruby, very close on the rather small bench seat behind the wheel. He was a bit of a boating person himself and could see that she fully knew what she was doing, even if Ben had been a bit doubtful about her taking the boat out. Though, that had probably been more about the fact that he was going out with her on the boat.
Ruby’s arm brushed against his as they sat, occasionally bumping against him as they rode over the slight waves in the bay. He finally placed his arm on the backrest of the bench seat, and she settled back against his arm.
The boat sure had the perfect name as far as he was concerned. Best Day Ever.
He couldn’t remember when he’d had such a great day. He knew it was Ruby’s company that made it so special. And that surprised him. He’d only known her a few days, but he already felt like she was his friend. A good friend. He’d felt an instant connection with her. Like he could talk to her about anything. Well… almost anything.
He looked over at Mischief sitting on a seat, face to the wind, wearing his doggie life jacket. Even the pup was enjoying the day.
Ruby pointed. “If you head out of our bay that way, you go behind some barrier islands and down a bit south and into Moonbeam Bay. There’s a cute little town on that bay. Maybe we can go see it when we have a full day to go boating. Or we could go out to one of the outer islands. There’s Blue Heron Island and a few other smaller islands.”
“Any and all of that sounds wonderful to me.”
The wind started to pick up, and the ride got a bit rougher. Ruby swung the boat around in a big, lazy circle. “If a storm comes in, Ben will make himself sick fretting about me. I guess we should head back to the marina.”
Ben was waiting for them on the dock, pacing back and forth. Ruby deftly pulled the boat into the slip and Ben tied them up. Mischief hopped off the boat and Ben held a hand out for Ruby to climb off.
“Got a little rough out there, didn’t it?” Ben frowned. “You should have come back in earlier.”
